Package and dispenser assembly



March 28, 1967 R. J. KlDD 3,311,225

PACKAGE AND DISPENSER ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 27, 1964 INVENTOR.

ROLLO z/I [Q00 I if 4 9W Whig A? 0 United States Patent 3,311,225 PACKAGE AND DISPENSER ASSEMBLY Rollo J. Kidd, 3662 Lewis Road, Cleveland, Ghio 44124 Filed Feb. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 347,747 4 Claims. (Cl. 2456-44) This invention relates, as indicated, to a combination package and dispenser assembly. In particular, this invention is directed to a device which is adapted to hold small containers and the like in either :a compact package or in a manner in which the objects held therein can be presented for display or dispensing.

Prior to this invention, many devices of the lazy-susan type have been provided for the display and dispensing of numerous items such as condiments, painters oils or colors, small articles such as nails, screws, etc., and other similar commodities However, these devices have one primary disadvantage in that they are not intended for and cannot be employed for any purpose other than display or dispensing of such articles. It is a particular dis advantage of these devices that they are not capable of functioning as shipping containers for the assortment of articles as well as providing holders for their display and dispensing.

In my US Patent, 3,066,769, one form of a combination packaging and dispensing device is disclosed. This invention, however, presents a modification of a combination of the type described therein, being particularly suitable for the display of an assortment of articles of difierent sizes, designs, etc., while securely retaining such within the individual containers, thereby avoiding spilling and loss.

It is an object of this invention therefore to provide a device which serves the double function of being a packaging for an assortment of articles as Well as a display or dispenser for such.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an assembly of the type indicated which is relatively simple in construction and compact in size.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an assembly which is alternatively a package and a display and which is especially suitable for the display of an assortment of articles while securely retaining them within the assembly.

Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following more detailed description of the invention.

These and other objects are achieved by means of this invention in which a unique combination package and dispenser assembly is provided. This assembly comprises a cover plate with a fixed stud projecting therefrom and a second plate with a central opening removably mounted in locking engagement on the fixed stud. The second plate has a plurality of container receptacles and is invertably mountable on the fixed stud. By means of such an assembly, the container receptacles can be alternatively presented in a dispensing or in a packaged position.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view in section taken along the line 11 of FIG. 2 and illustrates the assembly in its display or dispensing position;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the assembly;

3,31 L225 Patented Mar. 28, 1967 FIG. 3 is a side view in section illustrating the assembly in its packaged position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating one embodiment of the invention in which the container receptacles are provided with individual covers;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation view illustrating the arrangement of the fixed stud and cover plate in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the container receptacles; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the container receptacle and second plate member.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 1 designates the general arrangement of the combination package and dispenser assembly. A cover plate is designated at 2 with a central fixed stud 3 retained thereon by disks or nuts 4 and 5 and projecting upwardly therefrom. A second plate 6 with a central opening 7 is removably mounted in locking engagement on stud 3. Stud 3 is retained within plate 6 by means of disks 8 and 9 which surround opening 7 on opposite sides of plate 6. Plate 6 has a plurality of container receptacles 10, five of which are illustrated although it is to be understood that any number of such can be provided.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, container receptacles 10 have annular ridges 11 thereabout. As seen in FIG. 3, when the assembly is employed in the packaged position, annular ridges 11 of container receptacles 10am in contact with cover plate 2 thereby providing a very tight seal therebetween and securing the contents of the receptacles therein. Also in the preferred embodiment, plates 2 and 6 have circumferential rims 12 and 13 respectively to provide a close fitting relationship between such plates.

A further embodiment of the container receptacles is illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown, container receptacles 10 have individual covers 14 which closely fit within the receptacles to seal same and to secure the contents of such therein. In the preferred construction, covers 14 are of a flexible plastic material and are slightly larger in circumference than container receptacles 10 so as to form a snap fit therewith. Similarly, individual covers 14 have annular ridges 15 which correspond with and closely fit over annular ridges 11 of receptacles 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates the arrangement of the cover plate 2 and fixed stud 3. Stud 3 has a longitudinal slit S therein. The stud is designed such that it is preferably approximately 0.003 inch oversized although, of course, it can be oversized to a greater or lesser extent depending upon the size of the entire assembly and the objects to be packaged and displayed therein. By stating that stud 3 is oversized, it is intended to define the stud as being of a slightly greater diameter than the corresponding opening 7 in plate 6. Due to the fact that stud 3 has longitudinal slit S therein, the oversized stud can be pressed firmly into opening 7 and surrounding disks 8 and 9 of plate 6. The slit stud will thus contract slightly at its outer portion after insertion therein due to slit S and thereby secure the plate 6 in locking engagement on the stud. When plate 6 is so mounted, it is impossible to remove therefrom by attempting to pry or pull plates 6 and 2 apart. Plate 6 can however be removed from stud 3 by rotating the plate thereabout.

It is to be understood that, although the embodiment described above wherein the stud is fixed to cover plate 2 is the preferred form, it is within the scope of this invention to position stud 3 on plate 6, such being considered the equivalent of the structure disclosed.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of container receptacles which can be used with the assembly of this invention. As shown, plate 6 has container receptacles 16, such receptacles being similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 14. However, container receptacles 16 do not have annular ridges thereabout. In this form, the essentially fiat surface of plate 6 would rest against cover plate 2 when in the assembled package condition to provide the seal for each individual receptacle.

In FIG. 7 a further arrangement of the container receptacles in plate 6 is illustrated. In this arrangement, container receptacles 10 with annular ridges 11 thereon are separable from plate 6. Plate 6 is provided with a plurality of apertures 17 therein to accommodate the container receptacles 10.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, the assembly is shown in its packaged condition for shipping purposes. When the package arrives at its destination, the cover plate 2 is removed by revolving plate 2 relative to plate 6. Cover plate 2 is then inverted and inserted into opening 7 of plate 6 and becomes a support plate for plate 6 and container receptacles 1i} and the objects held therein, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As thus arranged, assembly 1 can be a decorative display on a sales counter of a merchandising store for numerous articles such as hardware items, paints, foods, etc.

It is thus seen that the stated objects of this invention have been attained through the combination packaging and dispensing assembly disclosed which, in its preferred form, comprises a cover plate with an oversized slit stud projecting outwardly therefrom, a second plate with a central opening removably mounted on the stud, and a plurality of container receptacles within the second plate, the second plate being invertably mountable on the stud so that the container receptacles can be alternatively presented in a dispensing or a packaged condition.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A combination package and dispenser assembly comprising a cover plate with a central, oversized, fixed slit stud projecting therefrom, a second plate with a central opening removably mounted in locking engagement on said stud, and a plurality of container receptacles in said second plate, said second plate being capable of being mounted on said stud with either surface thereof adjacent said cover plate, whereby said container receptacles can be alternatively presented in a dispensing or packaged position.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said stud is 0.003 inch oversized.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which said cover and second plate have circumferential rims whereby a close fitting relationship therebetween is provided when said assembly is in packaged condition.

4. A combination package and dispenser assembly comprising a cover plate with a central, fixed slit stud 0.003 inch oversized projecting therefrom, a second plate with a central opening removably mounted in locking engagement on said stud, a plurality of container receptacles with annular ridges thereabout in said second plate, individual covers with annular ridges thereabout closely fitting within said container receptacles, and circumferential rims on said cover and second plates, said second plate being capable of being mounted on said stud with either surface thereof adjacent said cover plate, whereby said container receptacles can be alternatively presented in a dispensing or packaged position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,093,013 9/1937 Jennings 211-14 X 2,553,880 5/1951 Stigler 2ll78 X 3,103,303 9/1963 Lynchey 20672 X 3,107,204 10/1963 Brown et al. 20672 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION PACKAGE AND DISPENSER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A COVER PLATE WITH A CENTRAL, OVERSIZED, FIXED SLIT STUD PROJECTING THEREFROM, A SECOND PLATE WITH A CENTRAL OPENING REMOVABLY MOUNTED IN LOCKING ENGAGEMENT ON SAID STUD, AND A PLURALITY OF CONTAINER RECEPTACLES IN SAID SECOND PLATE, SAID SECOND PLATE BEING CAPABLE OF BEING MOUNTED ON SAID STUD WITH EITHER SURFACE THEREOF ADJACENT SAID COVER PLATE, WHEREBY SAID CONTAINER RECEPTACLES CAN BE ALTERNATIVELY PRESENTED IN A DISPENSING OR PACKAGED POSITION. 